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Anakinra Effective in Systemic JIA, Irrespective of HLA-DRB1 and IL1RN Variants
A prospective study of first line use anakinra in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) proved to be effective and without potentially allergic lung reactions.
Read ArticleLate Should Not Be Less (11.3.2023)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and regulatory approvals from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Read ArticleH. Zoster Subunit Vaccine Efficacy with JAK Inhibitor Therapy
JAK inhibitors are known to increase the risk of herpes zoster infections between between 3-5 fold. Two recent reports suggest variable efficacy when JAK inhibitor (JAKi) treated patients are vaccinated with the recombinant herpes zoster subunit vaccine (RZV).
Read ArticleCardiovascular and Venous Thromboembolic Risk With JAK Inhibitor Treatment of Skin Disorders
A JAMA systematic review and meta-analysis has showed the use of JAK inhibitors (JAKi) in immune-mediated inflammatory skin diseases was not associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), or venous thromboembolism (VTE) (compared to the placebo
Read ArticleFDA Approves Infliximab Biosimilar for Subcutaneous Use
Another infliximab biosimilar has been FDA approved, but this new version of Inflectra can be given subcutaneously for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Read ArticleSubcutaneous Biosimilars? (10.27.2023)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews RheumNow's top entries the PMR Campaign, news, journal reports and regulatory actions.
Read ArticleAnti-Phospholipid Antibodies - Infrequent in Certain Groups
Among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), high titers of anti-phospholipid (aPL) antibodies were most prevalent in whites and Latinos and less so for Black and Asian individuals, researchers found.
Read ArticleACR 2022 Guideline on Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
The ACR has published its updated recommendations for prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) for patients receiving >3 months treatment with glucocorticoids (GCs) ≥2.5 mg daily.
Read ArticleMethotrexate in OA (10.20.2023)
Dr. Jack Cush discusses the news, journal articles and regulatory actions. This week we discuss JAKne, DLE and SLE and more.
Read Article2023 EULAR Lupus Management Recommendations
EULAR has published updated recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) based on new evidence and expert opinion - formulationg five overarching principles and 13 recommendations.
Read ArticleCould Methotrexate Work in Hand Osteoarthritis?
Lancet reports the results of the METHODS study from Australia where hand osteoarthritis (HOA) patients benefitted from 6 months of methotrexate (MTX) - as long as there was MRI synovitis!
Read ArticleSleep Apnea Smart Watches (10.13.2023)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and regulatory approvals from this past week on RheumNow.com.
Read Article53.2 Million with Diagnosed Arthritis (USA: 2019–2021)
This week the CDC's MMWR reports that during 2019–2021, 21.2% of U.S. adults (53.2 million) reported "diagnosed arthritis".
Read ArticleFDA Approves IV Secukinumab
On Oct. 6, 2023, Novartis announced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an intravenous (IV) formulation of secukinumab (Cosentyx) for use in treating adults with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA).
Read ArticleSurprising Link Between Weight Gain and RA Activity
In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with infliximab (Remicade), increases in body mass index (BMI) scores over time were not associated with increased disease activity or faster radiographic progression.
Read ArticlePMR & Popeye's Spinach (10.6.2023)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the big PMR reports from this week along with other journal reports from RheumNow.com.
Read ArticleSustained Efficacy of Bimekizumab in Psoriatic Arthritis
BE OPTIMAL trial tested the benefits of a dual IL-17 A/F inhibitor, bimekizumab (BKZ), in patients with active psoriatic arthritis and showed superior efficacy over placebo, that was sustained beyond the primary endpoint, from week 16 to 52.
Read ArticleSAPHYR Trial: Sarilumab Wins in Relapsing Polymyalgia Rheumatica
NEJM reported today that polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) patients who fail to respond to standard doses of prednisone therapy, were significantly better when given the IL-6 inhibitor sarilumab (than placebo).
Read ArticlePredictive FDG-PET in Newly Diagnosed GCA
Annals of Internal Medicine reports that the use of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET imaging at the time of a giant cell arteritis (GCA) diagnosis may help estimate the risk for aortic aneurysm formation.
Read ArticleGout Flare Prophylaxis - Colchicine or NSAIDs?
Flare prophylaxis is the standard when initiating urate-lowering therapy (ULT) in patients with gout. A new study suggests that colchicine, more so than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prophylaxis, may increase the odds of adverse events, when initiating allopurinol for gout.
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